Media
CBC The National, August 8, 2019. The Climate Crisis and Food
what's at stake, and what we can do about it, by changing what we eat, how we grow it, and how much of it we throw away. Minutes 23 to 28
Our Environmental Guardian
Interview on The Agenda
Climate Action and Carbon Pricing
A quick shoutout on voting for carbon pricing in the Canadian election
Our Environmental Guardian
TVO's The AgendaTelevision
CBC, June 14, 2019Radio/Podcast
URL: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1540399171567
Ontario's lack of climate action could throw all of Canada out of alignment with international commitments, the province's former environment commissioner warns
CBC Metro Morning, April 2, 2019Radio/Podcast
URL: http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/metro-morning/segment/15683966
The Environment Commissioner of Ontario is kaput. The last Commissioner to hold the post -- Environmental lawyer Dianne Saxe -- talks about the role of an independent watchdog to help keep the Government honest in a very tough time for climate and the environment
Living Underwater
Living Underwater, October 15, 2019Print
URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sCpasbMZRtPsPMmlgPOmnB0buDq1bFty/view
Jewish essays and art about coping with the #ClimateCrisis, a beautiful, thoughtful zine. It includes my article about what we can learn about the #ClimateCrisis from the ancient story of Pharaoh and the 10 plagues.
Ford Fallout: “I’m dreading the day my grandchildren look at me and ask, ‘Why did you let this happen to us?’”
Toronto Life, December 18, 2019Print
URL: https://torontolife.com/city/the-ford-fallout-environmental-cuts/
As the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, I was always treated with respect until September 2018, when I delivered a report documenting the destructive effects of the Ford government’s climate actions. Soon afterwards, the province passed special legislation to abolish my office, break the contract all MPPs had unanimously made with me and crush my employees’ union. Twelve of us lost our jobs, but Ontario has lost much more.
Greenwashing: the Ford government climate plan
Toronto Star, November 29, 2019Print
Until the 2018 election, Ontario was a climate leader. Now it is an obstacle to climate action, and a perfect example of what gets people out in the streets demanding change. The greenwashing in the Ford government's Environment Plan shows why
Climate crisis puts corporate boards on the hot seat
Toronto Star, August 25, 2019Print
Corporate boards face stringent new disclosure requirements, and the growing possibility of civil lawsuits for climate damage
Climate damage: will fossil fuel producers have to pay? (Part 1 of 4)
Lawyers Daily, December 20, 2019Online
The climate crisis is already causing large financial losses, and much more is ahead. Most of the fossil fuels that are driving this crisis have been produced and sold by 103 companies, the Carbon Majors. Can they be made to pay for the resulting damage? This four part series examines how.
10 principles to guide the transition to a green economy
Open Canada, September 16, 2019Online
URL: https://www.opencanada.org/features/10-principles-to-guide-the-transition-to-a-green-economy/
Given the climate emergency, can Canadians overcome the political obstacles to dramatically reducing their dependence on fossil fuels? Former environmental commissioner Dianne Saxe provides a roadmap to do it.
Ontario's former environment watchdog slams Doug Ford's government
Biography
Dr. Dianne Saxe is one of Canada’s most respected environmental lawyers, with 40+ years’ unparalleled experience writing, interpreting, and litigating Ontario’s energy and environmental laws. She is an experienced team leader with substantial board experience; a skilled communicator with broad strategic vision. She has hard-won expertise in government relations, corporate governance, and public consultation. Saxe now heads Saxe Facts, a business providing strategic advice and presentations on climate, energy and environment.
Saxe was the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, giving her leadership training and experience from 2015 to 2019. She was appointed unanimously by all MPPs to report to the Legislature on Ontario’s environmental, energy and climate performance, and to be the guardian of the Environmental Bill of Rights. During her term, she improved the effectiveness of the Environmental Bill of Rights, increased public understanding of the urgency of climate change, and delivered 17 reports on environment, energy and climate. She has more than 20 years’ experience on public and private boards, including Draxis board and audit committee (public issuer). Non-profit organizations included Secretary of Evergreen, a $10 million/year environmental charity; president and chair of the Windshare renewable energy cooperative; Ontario Bar Association Investment Committee. She offers extensive professional assistance to boards and board members, especially on issues of personal and environmental liability. She is certified “Board-Ready” by Women in Capital Markets.
Saxe is the author of: Environmental Protection - Guidance & Recommendations for Boardroom Practice. She has over 25 years of experience running her own small business, a highly regarded environmental law boutique. A Certified Environmental Law Specialist, Commissioner, Saxe was recognized by all major legal rating services, including acknowledgement as one of the world’s top 25 environmental lawyers by Best of the Best, 2008 and as Best Lawyers’ first Environmental Lawyer of the Year for Toronto.
Saxe's Professional Qualifications include: Ph.D. in Law, Osgoode Hall Law School, 1991. Ontario Bar, 1976. LL.B., Osgoode Hall Law School, 1974. Mediator. Her awards include: Toronto’s first Environmental Lawyer of the Year, selected by Best Lawyers. One of the world’s top 25 environmental lawyers, according to Best of the Best, 2008. She is recognized by Lexpert, Who’s Who Legal, Chambers, Martindale Hubble and other rating agencies, Osgoode Hall Alumni Gold Key for Achievement; Ontario Bar Association Distinguished Service Award.